Day Four. or The Post Where I Cut In.

Okay-- we're nearly done now. I hope you are all warm, snug like bugs in a rug (except of course for those of you wishing for colder air. I'm hoping for a cool breeze your way) and happy for this New Year about to begin. I am.

This is a gift for Sam from my Dad-- or what he referred to as *my* real gift, that is, until he realized the zeal that Sam possesses for pretend cooking. That boy did not stop, and this morning when he woke up he went straight for it making me some sushi breakfast with blueberry muffins and coffee that apparently was a little "spicy". He loves it so much, and as my Dad pointed out, treats it like something he's had for months already.

Besides being completely thrilled with this present and wanting to show it off, Sam and I want to remind you that Handmade really does matter (my dad made this from scrap wood and a good chunk of time). In this season of making there is the oft unexpected but totally devastating side effect of the Tepid Response Factor amidst family and friends. I have sat by and observed this more times than I care to recount, finding it happens most often with the gift that I was most excited to give. BUT, Brave People, I have resolved more than ever to keep it up and Never Mind the Haters. I ran out of making time this year and ended up at Target at the last minute. I'm totally okay with that, and I was absolutely okay with all the time I spent making this year, too (something like two dozen homemade gifts this year). This certainly wasn't the first year I've done that, and I'm hoping it won't be the last. Making matters. And it matters even if you tried and failed your own expectations, or tried and failed somebody else's. We think that most of you know that, but we wanted to make sure. It matters very very much.

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Day Four. or The Post Where I Cut In.

Okay-- we're nearly done now. I hope you are all warm, snug like bugs in a rug (except of course for those of you wishing for colder air. I'm hoping for a cool breeze your way) and happy for this New Year about to begin. I am.

This is a gift for Sam from my Dad-- or what he referred to as *my* real gift, that is, until he realized the zeal that Sam possesses for pretend cooking. That boy did not stop, and this morning when he woke up he went straight for it making me some sushi breakfast with blueberry muffins and coffee that apparently was a little "spicy". He loves it so much, and as my Dad pointed out, treats it like something he's had for months already.

Besides being completely thrilled with this present and wanting to show it off, Sam and I want to remind you that Handmade really does matter (my dad made this from scrap wood and a good chunk of time). In this season of making there is the oft unexpected but totally devastating side effect of the Tepid Response Factor amidst family and friends. I have sat by and observed this more times than I care to recount, finding it happens most often with the gift that I was most excited to give. BUT, Brave People, I have resolved more than ever to keep it up and Never Mind the Haters. I ran out of making time this year and ended up at Target at the last minute. I'm totally okay with that, and I was absolutely okay with all the time I spent making this year, too (something like two dozen homemade gifts this year). This certainly wasn't the first year I've done that, and I'm hoping it won't be the last. Making matters. And it matters even if you tried and failed your own expectations, or tried and failed somebody else's. We think that most of you know that, but we wanted to make sure. It matters very very much.